Sturbridge police charge boater with 5th drunken driving offense

STURBRIDGE — A 52-year-old Springfield man was ordered held on $750 bail Monday on charges of driving a boat on Cedar Pond while under the influence of alcohol, his fifth offense.

Fred L. Brown III pleaded not guilty in Dudley District Court to his fifth offense of driving under the influence of alcohol, negligent use of a boat, not registering a boat, disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace.

According to the police report, Sturbridge police were called Saturday night to the Oxhead Tavern on Route 20 near the pond on a report of a drunken man wearing a cowboy hat and a red shirt.

When officers arrived, they saw Mr. Brown swaying to maintain his balance, the report said. Mr. Brown's movements were slow and lethargic, he smelled of alcohol, and his eyes were bloodshot, authorities said.

He was unable to provide his identification, but did confirm to officers he had arrived in a 12-foot gas-powered boat docked about 30 feet from where he was standing, police said. Mr. Brown owns property on Cedar Pond, according to assessor's records.

Two witnesses said Mr. Brown arrived alone at about 10:30 p.m., and he was highly intoxicated. Before the witnesses could notify security, they said, Mr. Brown re-boarded the boat and went back out onto the pond, police said.

The man resurfaced 15 minutes later and began to dance with and verbally harass women in the tavern, police said.

Police said they arrested Mr. Brown and tried to discreetly remove him without disturbing other customers, but he made a scene by shouting obscenities, flailing his arms and resisting, the report said.

Once outside, police forcefully took Mr. Brown to the ground. While in the holding cell, he had to be put in a restraint chair until he was calmed down, police said.

His previous DUI convictions were in 1982 and 2002 in Springfield, 1998 in Palmer, and 2006 in Dudley, the report said.

A police spokesman said the law governing DUI charges does not distinguish between boats and other vehicles.

Contact Brian Lee at brian.lee@telegram.com. Follow him on Twitter at @BleeTG